System for continuous metal-rolling.



Patented May 7, l90l.

No. mm.

T.-V. ALLIS.

SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS METAL ROLLING.

(Application filed Oct. 4, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR.

W'TNESSES.

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Nu. 673,79l. Patented May 7, I90l.

T. V. ALLIS. v SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS METAL-ROLLING.

(Application filed Oct. 4, 1900.)

(No Modal-J 3 Sheets-Shut 2 v N Q N Q w iii INVENTOR. $01M WITNESSES.

No. 673,79, Patented May 7, lam;

T. v. ALLIS. I V svsnzm FOB connnuous mam. ROLLING.

(Application filed Oct. 4, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Shoat (No Model.)

INVENTOR.

WITNESSES.

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YNE NORR|S PETER: w. movmu moi. WASHINGTON, o. c.

NiTED States THOMAS V. ALLIS, CF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS METAL-ROLLING.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 673,791, dated May 7, 1901.

Application filed October 4, 1900. Serial No. 31,989. (No model.

To all whom, it" 711167] concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS V. ALLIS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bridgeport, in the county of Fair-field and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Systems for Continuous Metal-Rolling, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved system for continuous metal-rolling, and is to be fully set forth in the following specification.

To enable others to understand my inven tion, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a plan of a portion of my improvement, consisting of a continuous track with a train of furnaces mounted thereon and coupled together and to a truck adapted to carry propelling mechanism and a double-chambered tank for air and gas, a centrally-located column and pipes for conveying gas and air to said tank, a turn-table let into the main track for the purpose of switching off any furnace of the train needing repairs, also a plan View of a rolling-mill adjacent to the line of travel of the furnaces. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of two of the furnaces coupled together and to the propelling-truck, all mounted on a section of the track. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view showing a sectional view of the throat of a furnace having a lug depending therefrom and engaged with a depressible stop adapted to be located in the path of the furnaces. Fig. 4 is an enlarged end elevation of the propelling-truck, showing a part of the driving mechanism, also a view of the gas and air tank. Fig. 5 is a modified form of the main track, which is laid in a complete circle. Fig. 6 is a central sectional view of a furnace preferably adapted to be used on a circular or continuous track, also means consisting of a pivoted feeding-chute for expediting the charging of the furnaces and a charging bench or table in close proximity to said chutes. Fig. 7 is an upper plan view of the from to the tank mounted on the propellingtruck.

The construction and operation are as follows:

1, Fig. 1, is a circular or approximately circular track, which may be of any dimensions required. It may be fifty or one hundred feet in diameter, more or less, the object being to mount a sufiicient number of furnaces thereon so that there will be a constant delivery of heated metal from the furnaces to the reduction-rolls, with the exception, of course, of the fraction of time necessary to bring each consecutive furnace to the rolls after the one preceding it has been discharged of its contents. The track shown at Fig. 1 has the straight run 1, in order that the throats 3 of the furnaces may be brought parallel with the guide 4, located close to the rolls 5. The furnaces are coupled together by the bars 7 and 8 and pin 6. The truck 9 carries the tank 10, divided into two vertical compartments adapted to receive gas and air in the manner presently to be more fully described. The mechanism shown for propelling the truck is constructed as follows:

11, Fig. 4, is the front axle of the truck. 12 is a large worm-gear loosely mounted thereon and having a cone-seat on one side to be engaged by the cone 13, adjustably splined to the axle. 14 represents nuts engaging the threaded portion 14 of the axle, whereby the frictional adjustment of the cone with the gear is effected. 15 is a worm mounted on the shaft 16 for driving said gear. The mechanism fordriving this shaftis notshown, as any suitable device-such, for instance, as an engine mounted on the truck or an electric mot-orcan be employed. It will also be understood that other mechanism besides the worm-gear and friction-cone may be used.

17 and 17 represent gas and air tubes in short sections, with each furnace carrying its own. These sections are detachably connected by the couplings 18 and 18. The branches supplying the burners and leading from each of these sections into the several furnaces are not shown; but they are supposed to enter at the bottom of the furnaces, although they can be otherwise arranged, if desired.

opening 21, Fig. 2.

In operating my system the furnaces are brought" to the proper temperature for heating the metal to be rolled. The train of furnaces is then moved over the track until the lug 3 of one of the furnaces, Fig. 3, depending from the under side of the throat 3 of each furnace, is brought in contact with the stop 19, depressibly mounted in the base 20. This will offer sufficient resistance to cause the worm-gear 12, Fig. 4, to slip, which will notify the operator mounted on the truck, who will immediately stop the propelling mechanism. The location of the stop 19 and lug 3 is such that when they engage the throat 3 of the furnace and the stationary guideway 4 of the rolls are in a line. At this juncture the charging-chute, which is situated a convenient distance in advance of the-rolling-mill, is also in position to be lowered at one end and discharge by gravity its contents of metal bars or packs into the mouth of a furnace, which continue to slide down the inclined fioor of the furnace to the crossfeedway at the lower end; The inclined floor of the furnace and charging-chute are on the same angle when in operation, said chute be-- ing designed to hold the proper number of bars or packs to fill a furnace. When the charging of a furnace is accomplished, said chute is swung up in a horizontal position and beyond contact with the moving furnaces, which, as above described, are progressed until another furnace is brought in the same position, which is charged in a like manner, and so on until all the furnaces in the train are charged. As the last furnace charged moves its length on the circular track the charge of the first furnace has become heated during the progress of said furnace around the circle, and when said furnace has reached the rolling-mill its contents are discharged therein. The circumference of the-track and the movement of the furnaces thereon are so timed and hear such relation to each other that in one transit of a furnace around the circular track the time for heating its contents has been accomplished, the charging of one furnace takingplace during the discharge of another, and by this means aconstant passage of heated metal to the rolls is accomplished, thereby vastly increasing the output or product of a rolling-mill. To release a furnace for progressing in the direction of the arrows, bar 2O is turned in the bayonet-slot 20", so as to let the stop drop out of engagement with the lug 3 The strips or packs are charged at the end 2 of the furnace, and when ready to deliver to the rolls such packs are ejected from the furnace by means of a pusher inserted in the 22 is a storage table or bench situated a little in advance of the rolls, so that when the charging-chute is empty the packs 23 on said bench are immediately placed thereon, ready from thence to he slid through the futnace,which has been previously heated, is

then run into the train to take the place of the one removed.

In Figs. 1 and 8 will be seen means whereby and air are conveyed to the tank 10, mounted on the propelling-truck. 29 is a column centrally located with relation to the circular construction of the track. This column is hollowand is supplied with air forced therein through the pipe 30, projecting through the floor. 31 is the gas-pipe, which enters at the side of the column and rises vertically therein. 32- represents lateral holes leading from this pipe into the internal-chambered swivel 33. This swivel loosely embraces the external surface of said pipe and rests against the fixed collar 34, mounted thereon. 35 is a retaining-ring overlying said swivel, between which and said collar the swivel rotates, it being understood that the joints between the said swivel, collar, and rings are properly packed to prevent escape of gas. 36 is a similar swivel mounted on the upper end of the airscolumn 29 and is provided with the collar 37 and retainingring 38. 38 represents holes similar to holes 32 of the pipe 31, leading from the column into the internal-chambered swivel 36. 39 is the horizontal gas-pipe, radiating from the swivel 33. At its outer free end is connected the depending flexible tube 39 attached to the elbow 40 of the tank 10. 41 is the radial air-pipe, having the flexible tube 42, attached to the elbow 43 of said tank, which tank, as before mentioned, is divided into two compartmentsviz., one for gas and the other for air.-

It will readily be seen that no matter what part of the circular track the truck is on the swiveled connections of the pipes 39 and 41 will revolve and always maintain an open communication between the source of supply of gas and air with said tank.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown a furnace which has an angular floor 44, with the channel-iron 45 mounted thereon. When the metal bars or packs are placed on this inclined floor, they will slide down of their own gravity onto the plate 45 and from thence be pushed through the throat 3 and into the bight of the rolls.

As the time required for emptying a furnace at the rolls is short, it is necessary that the charging of an empty furnace should be done at the same time, so as to avoid delay. For this purpose I employ the chute 46, pivotally mounted by one end to the rod 47. When the furnaces are in motion, the chute is elevated by means of the chain 48, connected to its free end, and suitable automatic hoisting mechanism, (not shown,) to a horizontal position, as indicated by dotted lines. This elevating feature is necessary to clear the inclined furnaces. While in this horizontal position an operator will load said chute with packs or bars of metal from the table 22, and as soon as a furnace has halted at the rollingmill for the purpose before stated the free end of the chute is dropped onto the shelf 24 of the furnace to be charged and being of the same inclination or angle as the furnace-floor, as before mentioned, its contents will readily slide into the furnace.

Other means for carrying gas and air to the furnaces than the compound central column and its swiveled radiating arms could be employed. If so desired, the gas might be manufactu red on the propelling-truck, or gas alone could be used without the air, or the tank may be dispensed with and direct fuel-gas connections made with the furnaces. Any construction and number of furnaces suitable for convenience and rapid work may also be employed.

From the foregoing description it will readily be seen that the rolling is practically continuous, with but short intermission for advancing the furnaces, which fact is of the utmost importance in the production of large tonnage.

While I show certain means whereby the furnaces are temporarily halted, it will be understood that I do not wish to be confined to the means shown, as other devices may be employed. The charging-chute might also be employed in connection with a stationary furnace, if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The herein-described system for continuous metal-rolling which consists of an endless track of substantially circular construction, a train of furnaces mounted on wheels and adapted to run on said track, a rollinginill located in close proximity to said track, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a system forcontinuous metal-rolling, the combination of a rolling-mill located in close proximity to a train of heating-furnaces consecutively arranged in line and adapted to move in fixed and well-defined lines parallel with the rolls of said mill and at right angles to the discharging-line of said furnaces, for the purpose set forth.

3. The herein-described system for continuous metal-rolling which consists of an endless track of substantially circular construction, a train of furnaces adapted to move thereon, a rolling-mill located in close proximity to said track, a turn-table located in said track, for the purpose set forth.

4. In a system for continuous metal-rolling, the combination of a rolling-mill located in close proximity with a train of heating-furnaces consecutively arranged in line and adapted to move in fixed and well-defined circular lines tangential to the rolls of said mill, for the purpose set forth.

5. In a system for continuous metal-rolling, the combination of an endless track of substantially circular construction, a train offurnaces adapted to run thereon, a propelling, truck, a rollingnnill adjacent to said track, for the purpose set forth.

6. In a system for continuous metal-rolling which consists of an endless track of substantially circular construction, a train of furnaoes adapted to run thereon and be supplied with fuel for heating purposes, a rolling-mill adjacent to said track, for the purpose set forth.

'7. The herein-described system for continuous metal-rolling which consists of an endless track of substantially circular construction, a train of furnaces adapted to run thereon, a propelling-truck carrying the driving mechanism, and means for supplying fuelgas, means whereby all the furnaces in the train are supplied with said gas from said truck, a rolling-mill located in the said sys tem and in close proximity to the track, means whereby the furnaces are temporarily halted in position for delivering their contents to said rolls, a turn-table let into said circular track whereby furnaces may be removedfrom the train and replaced by others, for the purpose set forth.

8. The herein-described system for continuous metal-rolling, which consists of an endless track of substantially circular construction, a train of furnaces adapted to run thereon, a rolling-mill in said system, a section of said track in close proximity to said rollingmill made substantially straight and parallel with the rolls, of said rolling-mill, for the purpose set forth.

9. In a system for continuous metal-rolling, the combination with an endless track of substantially circular construction, furnaces adapted to move on said track, of a gas-supply within the circular construction of said track to be connected with said furnaces, for the purpose set forth. p

10. The herein-described system for con tinuous metal-rolling, which consists of an endless track of substantially circular construction, a train of furnaces coupled together and adapted to run thereon, a propellingtruck carrying driving mechanism, a gas and air tank or its equivalent thereon, a column or other like device located within the circular construction of said track, means for connecting said column with said 'truck, swiveled connections whereby the proper relation between the said truck and fuel-supply is at all times in aintained,for the purpose set forth.

11. In a system for continuous metal-rolling, the combination with a train of traveling furnaces havinginclined floors, of a charging-chute adapted to be loaded with metal preparatory to charging a furnace, means IIO substantially as shown for an angular connection of said charging-chute with afurnace' for discharging its contents therein, for the purpose set forth.

12. In aheating-furnace having an inclined floor, the combination of a charging-chute adapted to be loaded with metal preparatory to charging said furnace, means substantially as shown for an angular connection of said charging-chute with said furnace for discharging its contents therein, for the purpose set forth.

13. In a system for continuous metal-rolling, a series of heating-furnaces adapted to be moved in a circular path, combined with a rolling-mill located in close proximity to the line of travel of said furnaces, for the purpose set forth.

14. In a system for continuous metal-rolling, a series of heating-furnaces adapted to be moved in a circular path, a rolling-mill located in close proximity to the line of movement of said furnaces, the circular length of said path and the speed with which such for naces travel being such that each furnace is ready to deliver heated metal to the rolls at every revolution about said circular path, for

the purpose set forth.

15. The herein-described system for continuous metal-rolling, which consists of an endless track of substantially circular construction, a train of furnaces adapted to run thereon, a column or other like device located within the circular construction of said track, means for connecting said column with said furnaces, swiveled connections whereby the proper relation between said furnaces and fuel-supply is at all times maintained for the purpose set forth.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, this 3d day of October, A. D. 1900.

' THOMAS V. ALLIS.

Witnesses:

L. R. I-IoYT, S. G. MEEKER. 

